Kaduna – A Christian clergy, Mr Joseph Hayab on Thursday said religious and traditional leaders in the country should step up enlightenment of the people to promote inter-religious harmony.
Hayab said such massive education was necessary towards mending damaged relations and enhancing sustainable growth of the society.
He gave the advice in a paper during a conference organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Chapter.
The conference has as its theme, `Ethno-Religious Harmony and National Development: The role of Security Agencies, Media, Religious Bodies and Political class.’
“Open, honest and straight talks could set the path to rebuilding trust and broken relationships.
“Leaders in society should be involved in honest approach to lasting peace where justice, fairness and equity reign supreme.”
He also cautioned against setting people against each other based on ethno-religious lines.
“ Let us ask ourselves the question; why do people engage in creating divisions in society when there is more that binds us than there is that divides.
“ Both Christians and Muslims, buy and sell from the same markets and banks, join the same buses and taxis etc and above all are created by God.”
Hayab blamed “ extremists” for most insecurity challenges in the country.
“ For a desired peaceful and secure society, which cherishes development, religious and traditional institutions need to be seen as never before in the promotion of peace and unity.
“ Today, the world over, societies are becoming increasingly multi-religious, multi-cultural and more tolerable of other people’s faiths than before.
“ For Nigeria to join the list of these countries, the citizenry must realise that where there is absence of peace and security, the worship of God becomes awfully uncertain with decline in economic activities.”
He stressed that it was the responsibility of religious and traditional institutions to safeguard good will in communities and encourage development.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the Chapel, Mr Joseph Midat said the event was organised as part of the chapel’s contribution towards sustainable peace in the country.
He said that peace was essential to societal growth and development, adding that the chapel would partner religious and traditional leaders in uniting the people to live in peace and harmony.(NAN)